HEALTH NOTICE

                      Stroke Identification

 

    Remember these 3 simple letters – S.T.R.

 

Recognizing the signs of a stroke within 3 hours of onset can totally reverse the effects of a stroke! According to neurologists recognizing these simple signs can save a life!

 

S - Ask the individual to SMILE

 

T – Ask them to TALK - to speak a simple sentence, like – “ It is sunny today !”

 

R – Ask them to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

Another sign is to ask the person to stick out their tongue. If it is crooked, goes to the side it may be an indicator.

 

ANYONE having trouble with any one of these tasks, YOU CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

 

 

DOTRA TRIP INFORMATION

                     By Jay Johnston

 

 

There is still room for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on April 23^rd to May 4^th 2007. This is an 11 day cruise on the Norwegian Dawn, leaving from NYC harbor. The ship will sail to St.Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica and Tortola. Cost is $1699 per person, double occupancy for an Ocean view stateroom with balcony.

 

Call Jay Johnston at 609-588-0930 for more details!

 

 

    HOLIDAY LUNCHEON DECEMBER 6th

 

PLAN TO ATTEND – A GREAT CHANCE TO MEET YOUR FORMER CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS. WONDERFUL FOOD - GREAT MUSIC- A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION !!

 

 

 

 

       TRAVELS BY DOTRA MEMBERS

 

   Visiting the Alpine Region of Europe

                     By Seth Barton

 

 

On September 3^rd, wife Marlene and I started a 15 day tour of the alpine region of Europe which included travel to parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the northernmost part of Italy.

 

Arriving in Frankfort ,Germany in midmorning, we used the day to see the city. Frankfort was obliterated during WWII and was rebuilt with its financial district on the Main River. We saw the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (circe 1255 AD - one of the few buildings not destroyed during the bombing raids - and the Romer City Hall, the Fortification Tower and the vast Palmengarten .

 

Then, off to Munich with a visit to the walled city of Rothenburg where the walls are over 10 feet thick! In the town center, the town’s history is presented atop one of the historical buildings by two puppets! In one of the many Crusades, the town was captured. The Mayor was told that the town would be spared if he could find someone who “could drink him under the table with beer.” Needless to say, a volunteer was found who succeeded in his mission, and the town of Rothenburg was spared. The streets are cobble stone, with many opportunities to shop along the way.

 

Another stop at Schloss Nymphenburg, then on to tour Munich- taking in the sights of the 1000 foot high TV tower used during the Olympics, the Town Square and time to watch the marionettes perform at the famous Glockenspiel. Then a visit to the Hofbrauhaus where beer was consumed in 3 quart mugs!

 

Day 5 of our journey had us heading for Vienna Austria with a stop first in Salzburg where Mozart wrote most of his music - along with other famous musicians- Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar and Carl Michael Ziehrer. A visit to the famous Mirabell Gardens ( “The Sound of Music”) and then on to an Austrian restaurant for a traditional Heurigen dinner of wiener schnitzel and locally made wines.

 

We saw the Schonbrunn Palace, commissioned by King Leopold I and extended by the Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa. This summer palace is one of the most beautiful palaces of Europe and is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We enjoyed an evening of yodeling, dancing and being treated to traditional Alpine music.

 

The countryside outside of Vienna is basically flat with small towns scattered throughout. In every community there are churches! The way to tell whether it is Protestant or Catholic is to look at the spire. If there is a cross on top, it’s Catholic. If there is a rooster on top, it is Protestant. In any event, they are in-spire-ational !

(Groan inserted here!)

 

On to Switzerland- St.Viet, Innsbruck, and St. Moritz with a coffee break in Kindberg. This is a neat little town with landscaped streets and park benches with seated statues. Our next stay was in northern Italy in Lugano, where we saw Lake Como- a huge body of crystal clear, blue-green water.

 

Later, we boarded a mountain railroad in Tasch to take us on to Zermatt Switzerland. Then, changing to a cog railroad, we ascended to 10,600 feet to the Matterhorn, there surrounded by many glaciers. We couldn’t believe the construction of hotels/ ski lodges at these heights. Helicopters were being used to carry loads of concrete for the structures.

 

It was in Zermatt that Marlene fell and broke several fingers. Fortunately, it happened 300 feet from a doctor’s office.

 

After Zermatt, we headed for Interlaken, Berne – the capital of Switzerland- and Lucerne. In the valleys along the way we saw many acres of vineyards along Lake Geneva and the Rhone Valley. Treated to Alpine music and yodeling, blowing an Alphorn, traditional cheese fondue, and another cable car ride up the mountain to Pilatus. Again, spectacular views of the Alpine mountain range and glaciers!

 

This Region is dependent on cable cars and cog rail for transportation, and has some of the steepest railroad grades in the world – some between 40 to 48 percent.

 

Finally heading back to Frankfurt for our return home, we made a final stop in Heidelberg, the home of The Student Prince, and our last opportunity to shop for a Black Forest cuckoo clock!

 

Some day we will return and hopefully take a river cruise down the Elbe River! Auf wiedersehn!

 

 

DOTRA PICNIC A HUGE SUCCESS

 

The DOTRA picnic held in September was a great success. Almost 120 people- all guests of DOTRA- enjoyed a great early autumn day at Belle Mountain County Park outside of Lambertville. Once again, Phil Vecere and his wonderful band of helpers prepared, cooked and served a wonderful picnic lunch- complete with raw clams, sausage, burgers and hot dogs, salads and watermelon.

 

Many thanks also to all those who donated home-made salads and desserts, and also who helped set up the Picnic area and stay to clean up afterwards.

 

 

FLORIDA REUNION “SHAPES UP” FOR THE “WEST COAST!”

 

Reports are being received from our Florida contact - Frank Wegel - that the Florida Reunion will be held on the west coast of Florida this year at Bonita Fairways in Bonita Springs on Tuesday February 13, 2007. Cliff Heckman has been working on preliminary arrangements for the event- not easy when you are residing in New Jersey during the summer months. More information will be forthcoming from our Florida organizers, but in the interim, put the date on your calendar. Contact Cliff Heckman at –

 CLHeckman@aol.com

          or

Frank Wegel at 772-388-3991

Email - fwegel@bellsouth.com

 

 

HERE AND THERE

                                           By Dot Andres

 

Our Mail Box had quite a bit of mail during the past 3 months. Welcome especially to the 12 new members who have joined DOTRA!

 

Heard from Bill Breen who worked in Maintenance-Region 4(South) for 28 years before retiring in 1980 and he still lives in Pine Hill,NJ. Dick Tompkins, our FHWA representative, re-upped for 2 more years. Charlotte Laird (Transportation Planning) writes that she “enjoys reading our newsletter but has a full-time job caring for her granddaughter and unfortunately not able to participate in DOTRA functions. Wishes to be remembered to all! “

 

Nellie Hoffman (DMV) called to tell us that her 4^th great grandson arrived in July- Evan James Masterson was born in Pennington.

 

Wayne Thomas (Design) switched to a Life membership so he “won’t get behind in future payments.’ Good idea Wayne! Ellen McCourt (Data Processing) decided to do the same. Ellen has been spending a lot of time at her shore house in Ship Bottom and has been doing some traveling since she retired in 2002. She missed the September picnic as she was traveling in Greece and Italy. “ Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Luncheon in December.” William Dziamba (C&M)”has many nice memories of years past. I travel roads I helped build and think I am in a different state. Progress!”

 

George Kook (Design) was up from Florida to attend the DOTRA picnic to see his NJDOT friends. Earlier, he wrote” that it doesn’t seem possible that it is 14 years since my retirement began. Boy, this year is really going by fast. I really miss the people but not all the changes and delays on the projects.”

 

Mike Immordino (GeoTech) wrote to tell us he is now residing in Dillon Colorado.

 

Then, there were a batch of renewals which included: Anatolijs Borovskis (Construction) still living in Pompton Plains, Emily Bitter (ROW) residing in Orlando, FL, Jerry DeFeo (Construction Engrg) still in Trenton area, and Ernie Nolan (C&M) is still hibernating up there in Neshanic Station,

 

New DOTRA LIFE member, Ray Burroughs (Equipment) has relocated from the Hamilton area to Davenport, FL with wife Michele. Ray is Bob Micai’s (C&M) son-in-law and also lives in the same Florida area. Another new member, Charlie Gunzel (Design Services) writes that his “32 years with NJDOT were enjoyable and rewarding, and I met and worked with some terrific people along the way. But, I’m now looking forward to the next phase in life - relaxing and doing whatever I want! Looking forward to meeting up with DOTRA folks!”

 

A big welcome to the new NJDOT retirees – 12 in all this Calendar Quarter- you will quickly realize that you are so busy now that you wonder how you ever had time to work! Some of you are still working we hear. Be smart – put some time in your day to enjoy your time away from the daily routine of the NJDOT- we hope you will include some time in your busy retirement to join the DOTRA group at the next Holiday Luncheon.

 

“Plans for our DOTRA 2007 Florida Reunion has been in a state of “flux, but are now firming up ” says Frank Wegel. We are trying to reach Floridians this year on the west coast of Florida in the Naples/ Fort Myers area to attend. DOTRA member Cliff Heckman (Materials), and Fergie Reeves (Procurement) have been in touch me or email if you have some ideas!

 

We’d like to meet and hear about some of those good things you are doing! Participate in the fun and share your lives with the rest of us !!!